DOLPHIN FEEDING AND HARASSMENT IS HARMFUL AND ILLEGAL,
FEDERAL AGENCY REMINDS PUBLIC AND BOATERS

July 13, 2000  NOAA's
National Marine Fisheries Service reminds people enjoying
the Carolinas' coastal waters that it is against federal law
to feed and to harass wild dolphins. It is important that people
going to the beaches or boating on local waterways be well informed
about wild dolphin safety and health concerns, and the federal
laws in place to protect the animals.

Dolphin feeding and harassment
continues to occur throughout the Carolinas, especially during
the summer season. Agency officials are concerned that people
are unaware that feeding or harassing wild marine mammals is
dangerous to both animals and humans and illegal under the federal
Marine
Mammal Protection Act. People who engage in such interactions
also risk their own safety. The federal marine mammal viewing
guidelines developed by NOAA Fisheries recommend observing wild
dolphins from a safe distance of at least 50 yards and using
binoculars or telephoto lenses to get a good view of the animals.

"We understand that people
find it tempting to feed and to interact with wild dolphins,"
said Trevor Spradlin, a marine mammal biologist in the NOAA
Fisheries Office of Protected Resources. "However, people
need to realize that feeding wild dolphins is harmful and is
therefore illegal under federal law. The best way to protect
the dolphins' health and welfare is to observe the animals at
a respectful distance and to resist feeding them."

Feeding and harassing dolphins
in the wild is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
because these activities change the animals' natural behavior
in ways that put them at increased risk of injury or death, and
may impact their ability or willingness to forage for food. The
prohibition on feeding was upheld in 1993 by the U.S. Fifth Circuit
Court of Appeals, and is widely supported by scientific research
and environmental organizations since it is known to be harmful
for many species of wildlife.

"We are concerned that
viewing marine mammals in the wild can be dangerous to both the
animals and to people if not conducted properly and according
to established guidelines," said Spradlin. "There are
numerous examples of marine mammals being injured by boats when
people get too close, or of animals being harmed when people
try to feed them. In addition, there are several examples of
people being injured by marine mammals when they frighten or
attempt to touch, swim-with or feed the animals."

"Our goal is to promote
safe and responsible viewing practices of wild marine mammals
that the public and tour operators can follow when in the natural
habitat of marine mammals," said Spradlin. "That is
why we've recently partnered with the "Watchable
Wildlife Program," to adopt its already established
guidelines for viewing wild terrestrial animals into the marine
viewing community. Just as terrestrial wildlife officials and
scientists have successfully taught proper conduct in the wilderness
through messages like Don't Feed the Bears and View Wildlife
from a Safe Distance', we hope to educate the public about the
importance of respecting the needs of marine wildlife, and allowing
wild marine mammals to stay wild."

NOAA Fisheries will continue
to post warning signs and distribute educational materials to
help educate the public and commercial operators about the harmful
consequences of interactions with dolphins.

"We encourage people to
learn about wild marine mammals and observe them in their natural
habitat. Therefore, we work to educate the public about the dangers
of interacting with them so that we may prevent the need for
an enforcement action," added Jeff Randonski, NOAA Fisheries
special agent. "If you see a marine mammal violation, such
as people feeding wild dolphins or chasing them with boats, please
call our Enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964."